True homeopathic or “like cures like” remedies are often criticized by allopathic (conventional) physicians because the remedies are so diluted that no molecules of the active ingredients remain. Advocates of homeopathy reply that the homeopathic remedies retain some sort of memory of the active ingredients even after they have gone, in much the same way that a soft pillow can recall the shape of a head even after the person has left.

Homeopathic remedies are gentle. Do any of the remedies really work? Or are they all just placebos? A few small high-quality studies have shown both benefit and no benefit. More research is needed.

We have much to learn from the intersection of conventional science and homeopathy, but these results suggest that this may be a very fruitful area to explore.